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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Loved parts of this, other parts not so much. Some pretty cool ideas in this time travel novel though--using old cars to slide through time was super neat. Time travelling train? Very cool. The whole faceless men part of the plot...didn't do as much for me.
Get ready for a wild time-travel ride with Peter Clines' Paradox Bound—a book that left me torn between admiration and disappointment. As a newcomer to Clines' work, I had high hopes, but unfortunately, this peculiar tale didn't quite hit the mark for me. However, it does possess a unique charm that may resonate more strongly with its intended American audience.
Time travel narratives are notoriously tricky to execute, but Clines took a fresh approach in Paradox Bound. Instead of hopping across the entire fabric of time and space, our protagonist Eli embarks on a quest through the nooks and crannies of American history, in search of the elusive American dream.
While the book reads more like a road trip adventure than a conventional time travel saga, it boasts several commendable aspects. I particularly enjoyed the enigmatic faceless men—these mysterious federal agents guard the American dream until it mysteriously disappears into the depths of history. This added an intriguing layer of mystery. With countless individuals scouring the past in search of power and the ability to shape the nation, Eli and his companion Harry navigate their journey in a Model A, braving perilous encounters along the way.
Despite my initial reservations, Clines succeeds in crafting a narrative filled with intricate time paradoxes that manage to stay logical amidst the craziness. The characters, particularly Eli and his interactions with Harry, eventually won me over... It is a shame, however, that it took quite a while for me to genuinely care about their plight. By the time I became invested, the story was reaching its conclusion.
One of Paradox Bound's strengths lies in its vivid portrayal of an America-centric tale, complete with historical references that may not fully resonate with international readers. This inherent limitation might hinder some readers' ability to engage with the story. Nevertheless, Clines' imaginative take on time travel deserves admiration, even if it didn't completely captivate me.
In conclusion, Paradox Bound offers a refreshing blend of history and time travel, with its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While it may not have been the perfect match for me, it possesses an undeniable charm that will appeal to fans of quirky adventures.
Time travel narratives are notoriously tricky to execute, but Clines took a fresh approach in Paradox Bound. Instead of hopping across the entire fabric of time and space, our protagonist Eli embarks on a quest through the nooks and crannies of American history, in search of the elusive American dream.
While the book reads more like a road trip adventure than a conventional time travel saga, it boasts several commendable aspects. I particularly enjoyed the enigmatic faceless men—these mysterious federal agents guard the American dream until it mysteriously disappears into the depths of history. This added an intriguing layer of mystery. With countless individuals scouring the past in search of power and the ability to shape the nation, Eli and his companion Harry navigate their journey in a Model A, braving perilous encounters along the way.
Despite my initial reservations, Clines succeeds in crafting a narrative filled with intricate time paradoxes that manage to stay logical amidst the craziness. The characters, particularly Eli and his interactions with Harry, eventually won me over... It is a shame, however, that it took quite a while for me to genuinely care about their plight. By the time I became invested, the story was reaching its conclusion.
One of Paradox Bound's strengths lies in its vivid portrayal of an America-centric tale, complete with historical references that may not fully resonate with international readers. This inherent limitation might hinder some readers' ability to engage with the story. Nevertheless, Clines' imaginative take on time travel deserves admiration, even if it didn't completely captivate me.
In conclusion, Paradox Bound offers a refreshing blend of history and time travel, with its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While it may not have been the perfect match for me, it possesses an undeniable charm that will appeal to fans of quirky adventures.
3.5 stars. This was an engaging romp through history with a bit of science fiction added in for good measure. It slowed a bit in the middle, but had a satisfying ending. If you read (or listen) carefully, you might also catch the cthuthu reference in the brief mention of the future.
2 stars = it was ok. This is a neutral rating from me.
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the concept and think the story has a lot of promise but it lacked excitement. I thought the writing was very loose and too wordy. A lot of words were written that didn't advance the story. This book would have got a higher rating from me if the writing was tighter and more focused. Instead of the story gripping me, I had to focus hard to keep reading. And that is why I only gave it two stars.
I got this book as a free ARC.
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the concept and think the story has a lot of promise but it lacked excitement. I thought the writing was very loose and too wordy. A lot of words were written that didn't advance the story. This book would have got a higher rating from me if the writing was tighter and more focused. Instead of the story gripping me, I had to focus hard to keep reading. And that is why I only gave it two stars.
I got this book as a free ARC.
This has to be the best time travel book I've read, Peter Clines recognizes the paradoxes and deals with them in a sensible way. The characters are likable and the book flows well and is entertaining and thought provoking. I enjoyed it beginning to end.
Meh. Was super un-invested in this story and its characters. I really liked 14 and The Fold (though both of those books fizzled at the end) so I checked this out from the library as soon as it became available. Had its moments I guess but overall not my cup of tea. Didn’t hate it, just was a nothing book really. And the quest was fairly lazy. Did not buy it in the slightest.
What I really like about Peter Clines novels is that they are crazy. They have weirdness and awesomeness mixed with a creepy lovecraftesk element. I never know where they will take me, but I know I'll definitely have fun on the way. And Paradox Bound was no exception. At first I was sceptical - because I'm not that big a fan of timetravel storys - but after a few pages I was right into it and couldn't stop. In comparison to 14 - the best one in my opinion, this was one hell of a crazy story, I still like to laugh about what happens in there - and The Fold - with a Mr. Sherlock-Snape-lookalike - it felt a bit more tame. Less monster and less things from the universe, but more focus on the two main characters, which are absolutely likeable. I enjoyed driving with them through american history.
A crazy and fun summer read!
A crazy and fun summer read!
I picked up this book when I saw it involved time travel. Some of my favorite tv shows have a major time travel plot, like Doctor Who and Timeless. I haven’t a lot of science fiction, but I knew I had to give it a try on that aspect alone! I admit, the insanely cool cover also had a thing or two to do with my decision...isn’t it simply stunning?!
This story begins in a small Maine town and follows a desultory man named Eli Teague, who has been obsessed with an eccentric woman who’s made mysterious appearances in and out of his life since he was a child. (I’d like to say more, but I don’t want to give away any of the plot!)
I really don’t like saying bad things about a book, but I have to be honest—this wasn’t my cup of tea. Before I get into the nitty-gritty, I’d like to mention what I thought were some good things about this book. The very first chapter was so intriguing and pulled me in. The characters were magnetic with their charm and human qualities. The dialogue between the two main characters was so quick, making them a fantastic team. I also loved how everything came full circle in the end.
Now onto what I didn’t like. This is probably just me, but I couldn’t get past the amount of details and brain power it took to understand the story. It was like information overload. I don’t mind details if I’m learning something in the process e.g. historical facts. With these details, I didn’t find it enjoyable to try and understand everything, given how difficult it was. The characters explained everything in theories and speculation, and while I understand that was the point, it was so hard to follow along and a whole lot of it just didn’t make sense to me. Things like the Freemasons, Egyptian gods, the American Dream, slick spots, etc., and how it related to the beginning of America. My head was absolutely spinning by the time I was halfway through. In all honesty, the best part of this entire book was reading the author’s interesting Afterword.
I don’t know, maybe science fiction in books are not for me. I think I’ll just stick with movies and tv shows to get my sci-fi fix.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2017/11/review-paradox-bound-peter-clines/
This story begins in a small Maine town and follows a desultory man named Eli Teague, who has been obsessed with an eccentric woman who’s made mysterious appearances in and out of his life since he was a child. (I’d like to say more, but I don’t want to give away any of the plot!)
I really don’t like saying bad things about a book, but I have to be honest—this wasn’t my cup of tea. Before I get into the nitty-gritty, I’d like to mention what I thought were some good things about this book. The very first chapter was so intriguing and pulled me in. The characters were magnetic with their charm and human qualities. The dialogue between the two main characters was so quick, making them a fantastic team. I also loved how everything came full circle in the end.
Now onto what I didn’t like. This is probably just me, but I couldn’t get past the amount of details and brain power it took to understand the story. It was like information overload. I don’t mind details if I’m learning something in the process e.g. historical facts. With these details, I didn’t find it enjoyable to try and understand everything, given how difficult it was. The characters explained everything in theories and speculation, and while I understand that was the point, it was so hard to follow along and a whole lot of it just didn’t make sense to me. Things like the Freemasons, Egyptian gods, the American Dream, slick spots, etc., and how it related to the beginning of America. My head was absolutely spinning by the time I was halfway through. In all honesty, the best part of this entire book was reading the author’s interesting Afterword.
I don’t know, maybe science fiction in books are not for me. I think I’ll just stick with movies and tv shows to get my sci-fi fix.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2017/11/review-paradox-bound-peter-clines/
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Excrement, Murder